Date: Sat, 3 Aug 2002 13:16:01 -0400 (EDT)
To: aaswlist
stsci.edu
Subject: AASWOMEN for August 2, 2002
AAS Committee on the Status of Women
Weekly issue of August 2, 2002, ed. by Meg Urry and Patricia Knezek
This week's issues:
1. NYTimes.com Article: 'Collegiality' as a Tenure Battleground
2. Success and kids: a data point for Marie-Helene Ulrich
3. "Women Physicists Speak" Report on IUPAP Available from AIP
4. Response to July 11 Posting (AAUW Fellowships)
5. Data from SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING DOCTORATE AWARDS: 2000
6. A opinion on the "Science" editorial by Shelia Tobias, Meg Urry, and
Aparna Venkatesan with some relevant references
7. New Report from AAAS
8. The Women and Science Unit, European Commission
9. New Publication: "Physics in Your Future" for young women
10. AIP/APS Science Fellowship Programs
11. Dean, College of Mathematical & Physical Sciences, The Ohio State
University
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1. NYTimes.com Article: 'Collegiality' as a Tenure Battleground
from: Kathy Mead kmeadearthlink.net
In case you didn't see this article in the NY Times, here it is:
http://www.nytimes.com/2002/07/12/education/12COLL.html?ex=1027496939&ei=1&en=728dc1ce470ae41c
This is a good article on the topic. However it does leave out the
important point that seeking and getting tenure isn't luxury - it's
a requirement. Being denied tenure means getting fired from your
job (and usually the end of your career - later, if not sooner.)
This point is missed by a lot of people who look at the academy from
the outside.
Anyway, I think it's a great article - it really "gets" that there
are a lot of ways that the old boys leave us girls out in the cold.
It also points out the reality: it's extremely difficult to prove
discrimination. This is counter to a lot of the grumbling I hear
which would have one believe that the law forces the department to
hire women - any women. So, the article is important for countering
this misperception.
keep up the good work,
Kathy
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2. Success and kids: a data point for Marie-Helene Ulrich
from: Kris Sellgren sellgrenastronomy.ohio-state.edu
[Eds. note: This refers to the 07/12/02 AASWOMEN issue that published
Marie-Helene Ulrich's letter on her thoughts on the status of women.]
I thought I'd offer your first data point: I'm a successful female
astronomer, and have zero kids. The choice not to have kids is
partly a career choice, but the most important reasons are quite
personal and have nothing to do with my career or how supportive
my domestic partner is or anything else you are likely to ask in
a survey.
Another question that Marie-Helene didn't raise, but is an important
related question -- what about adoptions? I know one successful
woman astronomer who chose to adopt children. Adopting kids is an
option that doesn't make us race the biological clock, but takes
just as much time and committment as giving birth to kids -- most of
the work is in raising children to adulthood, not in the pregnancy.
Another interesting -- although surely controversial -- question
would be to ask how many women astronomers, faced with an unexpected
pregnancy at an awkward stage of their career, have chosen abortion?
I know three women astronomers personally who made that choice, one
of whom went on to have children at a different career stage. Most
of us try to time kids in our career path by birth control, but *no*
method of birth control is 100% effective (not even celibacy -- there
is always the chance of being raped).
I hope someone volunteers to compile these data, although who knows
how we would agree to define "successful". Would a definition arrived
at by consensus by this mailing list be the same, or different from,
the traditional measures of success in astronomy?
Kris Sellgren
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3. "Women Physicists Speak" Report on IUPAP Available from AIP
from WIPHYS of 15 July 2002:
Available from the American Institute of Physics, "Women Physicists Speak:
The 2001 International Study of Women in Physics", by Rachel Ivie, Roman
Czujko, and Katie Stowe. The report contains country-level data and
anecdotal information about the representation of women in physics from 34
countries. Available at
http://www.aip.org/statistics/trends/highlite/women/iupap.htm
Information on the March 2002 IUPAP meeting on women in physics held in
Paris can be found at
http://www.if.ufrgs.br/~barbosa/conference.html
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4. Response to July 11 Posting (AAUW Fellowships)
from WIPHYS of 15 July 2002:
Did anybody ask AAUW why these fellowships were not available to Physicists
(also traditionally under represented, more so that math I believe).
Barbara Frisken
friskensfu.ca
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5. Data from SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING DOCTORATE AWARDS: 2000
from: Vera Rubin dtm.ciw.edu>
Thought some subscribers would be interested in these numbers:
PhD degrees to US citizens (approx. same for citizens plus permanent
residents)
Female Female+minorities
1991 Astronomy 8% (7) 11%
Earth, Ocean, Atmos 25 (148) 31
Math 20 (93) 30
Physics 10 (66) 19
All phys. sci. 19 (412) 28
2000 Astronomy 26 (33) 34
Earth, Ocean, Atmos 33 (155) 41
Math 28 (144) 39
Physics 11 (69) 24
All phys. sci. 26 (483) 36
1991 All science PhD degrees 46%
2000 All science PhD degrees 54% (!!)
Data from SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING DOCTORATE AWARDS: 2000
National Science Foundation NSF 02-305, November 2001.
A great reference if you want numbers.
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6. A opinion on the "Science" editorial by Shelia Tobias, Meg Urry, and
Aparna Venkatesan with some relevant references
from WIPHYS of 26 July 2002:
There may be some interest among WIPHYS subscribers in the recent cogent
"Science" editorial by Shelia Tobias, Meg Urry, and Aparna Venkatesan titled
"Physics: For Women, the Last Frontier." Tobias et al. (2002) write:
"All over the world, women are drawn to physics and practice physics for
the same reasons and in the same ways as men. BUT WOMEN PHYSICISTS ARE STILL
RARE, THEY'RE SEEN AS DIFFERENT, AND THEIR ABILITIES ARE UNDERVALUED. That's
the overall impression from the International Union of Pure and Applied
Physics (IUPAP)-sponsored international conference on women in physics ...
http://www.if.ufrgs.br/~barbosa/conference.html ... held 7 to 9 March 2002 in
Paris and from a 50-country pre-meeting survey of women in physics reported
at the conference. With over 300 participants, 15 percent male, in 65
national teams, the conversation ranged widely, from putative cognitive
differences (a claim heard mainly in the United States), TO THE BENEFITS OF
A RIGOROUS SECONDARY SCHOOL PREPARATION (59 PERCENT OF THE WOMEN PRESENT HAD
CHOSEN PHYSICS IN HIGH SCHOOL), to the importance of arranging one's own
marriage, even in cultures where this is not the norm." (My CAPS.)
For other reports on this conference see Anon (2002) and Feder (2002).
For a list of references on "Gender Issues in Physics/Science Education" see
Mallow & Hake (2002). We hope that the references and annotations may be of
value to those concerned with promoting gender equity in science (not just
in physics).
Richard Hake, Emeritus Professor of Physics, Indiana University
24245 Hatteras Street, Woodland Hills, CA 91367
rrhakeearthlink.net
http://www.physics.indiana.edu/~hake
http://www.physics.indiana.edu/~sdi
REFERENCES
Anon. 2002. "International Conference Grapples with Issues of
Women in Physics" "APS News," May; online (for APS members)
at http://www.aps.org/apsnews/0502/050203.html.
Feder, T. 2002. "Women, and Some Men, Ask Why Women Don't
Flock to Physics," "Physics Today" 55(5): 24; online at
http://www.aip.org/pt/vol-55/iss-5/p24.html.
Mallow, J.V. & R.R. Hake. 2002. "Gender Issues in
Physics/Science Education (GIPSE) - Some Annotated
References"; online at
http://www.luc.edu/depts/physics/mallow.html and
http://www.physics.indiana.edu/~hake; about 300 references and
200 hot-linked URL's.
Tobias, S., M. Urry, & A. Venkatesan. 2002. "Physics: For
Women, the Last Frontier, editorial, "Science" 296: 5571; online at
http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/summary/296/5571/1201.
Non-AAAS members may access the editorial by taking a few
minutes to complete a free limited-access registration.
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7. New Report from AAAS
from WIPHYS of 30 July 2002:
"In Pursuit of a Diverse Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics
Workforce: Recommended Research Priorities to Enhance Participation by
Underrepresented Minorities"
"Building a diverse workforce in science, technology, engineering and
mathematics (STEM) is increasingly important to sustaining the nation's
productivity and economic strength. Evidence already exists that the lack
of United States citizens in the STEM workforce is limiting economic growth?"
http://ehrweb.aaas.org/mge/Reports/Report1/AGEP/index.htm
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8. The Women and Science Unit, European Commission
from WIPHYS of 30 July 2002:
The Women and Science Unit of the European Commission DG for Research
publishes news of studies, programs, and conferences on its website at
http://www.cordis.lu/improving/women/home.htm
Two recent items of interest :
1. EMBO Restart Fellowship: The EMBO Council has endorsed a fellowship
programme to support the return of scientists, female and male, who
have taken a career break for child care. Eligibility criteria and more
information can be found on their web site:
http://www.embo.org/projects/women/restart_fellow.html.
Deadline 15th August.
2. National Policies on Women and Science in Europe: The Helsinki Group
on Women and Science produced a report entitled National Policies on
Women and Science in Europe, mapping the policies developed in 30
countries and including, for the first time, national statistical
profiles. The report was launched in Madrid, in June 2002, during the
first Spanish seminar on Women and Science, co-organised by the Spanish
Presidency of the European Union and the Commission.
http://www.cordis.lu/improving/women/policies.htm
Satellite national reports for most of the 30 countries are also available
at: http://www.cordis.lu/improving/women/reports.htm.
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9. New Publication: "Physics in Your Future" for young women
from WIPHYS of 2 August 2002:
The American Physical Society's Committee on the Status of Women in Physics
is pleased to announce the publication of the updated edition of "Physics
in Your Future". This 16-page, 4-color booklet is aimed at middle and high
school girls and conveys the exciting possibilities of a career in physics.
It features profiles of young women scientists engaged in various jobs in
industry, government labs, and academia. Copies are available at no charge
to students and their parents, educators, guidance counselors, and groups
who work with young women. To preview and order, please go to
http://www.aps.org/educ/cswp/index.html
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10. AIP/APS Science Fellowship Programs
from: Flory Gonzalez fgonzaleaip.org
AIP is now accepting applications for two fellowship programs, the AIP State
Department Science Fellowship and the AIP/APS Congressional Science Fellowship:
AIP STATE DEPARTMENT SCIENCE FELLOWSHIP - This fellowship program represents
an opportunity for scientists to make a unique and substantial contribution to
the nation's foreign policy. AIP will sponsor one fellow annually to spend a
year working in a bureau or office of the State Department, providing
scientific and technical expertise to the Department while becoming actively
and directly involved in the foreign policy process. Fellows are required to
be US citizens and members of one or more of the 10 AIP Member Societies at
the time of application. Qualifications include Ph.D. in physics or closely
related field, or equivalent research experience. Applicants should possess
interest or experience in scientific or technical aspects of foreign policy.
Applications should consist of a letter of intent, two-page resume, three
letters of reference. Please visit our website for details:
http://www.aip.org/mgr/sdf.html All application materials must be postmarked
by November 1, 2002 and sent to: AIP State Dept Science Fellowship, American
Institute of Physics, ATTN: Audrey Leath, One Physics Ellipse, College Park,
MD 20740-3843. For additional information, please contact Audrey Leath at
aleathaip.org or (301) 209-3094.
CONGRESSIONAL SCIENCE FELLOWSHIP - The American Institute of Physics (AIP)
and the American Physical Society (APS) are accepting applications for their
2003-2004 Congressional Science Fellowship programs. Fellows serve one year
on the staff of a Member of Congress or congressional subcommittee, learning
the legislative process while they lend scientific expertise to public policy
issues. Qualifications include a Ph.D. or equivalent research experience in
Physics or a closely related field. Fellows are required to be US citizens
and APS members for the APS program or members of any of the 10 AIP member
societies for the AIP program. Applications should consist of a letter of
intent, a two-page resume, and three letters of recommendation. Please see
our website for detailed information on the prerequisites and how to apply
(http://www.aip.org/pubinfo/index.html and
http://www.aps.org/public_affairs/fellow/index.shtml). If qualified,
applicants will be considered for both programs. All application materials
must be postmarked by January 15, 2003 and sent to: APS/AIP Congressional
Science Fellowship programs, One Physics Ellipse, College Park, MD 20740-3843.
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11. Dean, College of Mathematical & Physical Sciences, The Ohio State
University
from WIPHYS of 25 July 2002:
The Ohio State University invites nominations and applications for the
position of Dean of the College of Mathematical and Physical Sciences. The
Dean, as the College's Chief Executive Officer, will report directly to the
Executive Vice President and Provost of the University.
The University has implemented an Academic Plan to enhance academic
excellence and to raise the standards of colleges, departments, centers,
and institutes. The University is strongly committed to diversity, a
cornerstone of the Academic Plan, and seeks an individual with a strong
commitment to success in this area.
Qualifications for the position include a distinguished record in research
and teaching plus demonstrated leadership and administrative ability.
Candidates must qualify for a tenured appointment as Professor in one of
the departments in the College. The College includes six departments:
Astronomy, Chemistry, Geological Sciences, Mathematics, Physics, and
Statistics, in addition to several cross-disciplinary degree programs,
research centers, and institutes. The College has a faculty of 225 and an
annual budget of $80 million.
The position is available July 1, 2003. Salary and other considerations
will be competitive and consistent with the University's commitment to
recruiting the best-qualified individual. To assure full consideration,
applications and nominations should be received by October 15, 2002. The
Search Committee will begin screening dossiers on that date and will
continue to receive applications until the Dean is selected. Applications
and nominations should be addressed to:
Chairperson, MAPS Dean Search Committee
Office of Academic Affairs
The Ohio State University
203 Bricker Hall
190 North Oval Mall
Columbus, OH 43210-1358
For further information, contact Molly Davis, Office of Academic Affairs,
at 614/292-5881 or at Davis.436osu.edu. Website for the Search,
including College highlights:
http://www.mps.ohio-state.edu/deansearch
http://www.mps.ohio-state.edu
The Ohio State University: http://www.osu.edu
The Ohio State University's Academic Plan:
http://www.osu.edu/academicplan/
The Ohio State University is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action
Employer. Women, minorities, veterans, and individuals with disabilities
are encouraged to apply.
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